THE Whirlwind Sports Falmouth-Helston Football League paved the way for promotion and relegation with the Jolly's Combination League after it accepted a proposal to extend division one from 16 to 18 clubs.

The annual general meeting was told by president Mr Bruce Taylor that although the idea was being proposed to act as a "safety net" while the system bedded in, there was no intention to expand division one with additional promotions.

With two withdrawals at the start of the season, relegation for clubs did not quite have the impact it could have and with six clubs applying to join only two would eventually suffer disappointment.

In division one only Four lanes, who were highly commended for their commitment throughout a difficult season, were relegated. St Day and Lanner were promoted.

Mullion were relegated from division two and promoted from division three were St Agnes, Falmouth Albion, and Lizard Argyle.

Mousehole III did not seek re-election to division three, but existing members Cury Res and Rosudgeon/Kenneggy Res were voted back in although many might consider the latter rather fortunate given their non-fulfilment of fixtures during the final part of the season.

The new clubs elected to division three were Lizard Argyle Res, Holmans III, Trispen Res, and Truro City III.

Earlier in the evening, after a minute's silence for Mr Stuart Lawry and Mrs Sylvia Ridgeon, league secretary Mr Gerald Sobey reported on the season and congratulated Cury on their achievement in reaching the final of the Cornwall Junior Cup and also congratulated the teams who had won domestic honours.

He also thanked Alan Wallace for his excellent work with the referee match appointments and paid tribute to Stuart Lawry, a former player, referee, and official who had always been involved in the Falmouth-Helston League.

The league's sponsor, Mr Paul Billing, of Whirlwind Sports, was in attendance and thanked for his excellent support of the league.

Treasurer Ruth Roberts reflected on another successful season financially for the league with emphasis on the cup semi-finals and finals which, she said, generated excellent revenue.

She thanked auditor Geoff Freeman who, again, carried out the task free of charge, and told the clubs she was not recommending any increase in affiliation fees of £25 for one team and £30 for two.

The sporting award trophies were all well contested and resulted as follows -

Div I winners: 1, Stithians; 2, Helston; joint 3rd, Chacewater/ Penryn. Div II winners: Penryn Athletic IV; 2, Ruan Minor; 3, Perranwell. Div III winners: Praze; 2, Mousehole III; joint 3rd, Wendron III/Lizard Argyle.

Unbeknown to those clubs, Mr Billings had told the league that he would be providing a £50 voucher for the winning teams to spend in his shop and would be offering the same again next season. He felt to win those awards was deserving of recognition and he was happy to increase his sponsorship.

The Stuart Lawry top-marked referee with 8.8 was Chris Dengler and the top marked club assistant referee was Mr Gary Howells (Perranwell). This was, in fact, a repeat of last season.

The election of officers saw no change except that referees' representative, Mr Chris Dengler, was voted on as a committee member and Mr Dave Dodson, who was wished a speedy return to health, elected as the new referees' representative.

The season will begin on August 23 and finish on May 31.

In any other business the league was requested to look into the suggestion by Helston that all cup competitions be completed by Christmas.